Telephone system



July 14, 1942.

F. WOLF TELEPHONE SYS TEM Filed April '7, 1939 INVENTOR" FRITZ WOLFATTORNEY.

Patented Jul 14, 1942 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEPHONE SYSTEMApplication April 7, 1939, Serial No. 266,511 In Germany April 28, 193821 Claims.

The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for calculatingfees in automatic remote signalling installations and in particulartelephone systems. The determination of the fee by means of meters atthe exchange does not always satisfy the requirements that subscribersmake of the management, as the meter which informs the subscriber fromtime to time of the basis for the fee calculation shows only the sum ofall the fees and does not make provision for the amount of the fee forindividual connections to be indicated. r

In order that the subscriber may be able to obtain information aboutindividual fees, socalled fee-printing arrangements have been developedwhich sum all the possible data for the connection (number of thecalling subscriber, call direction and number, renewal of conversation,number of fee units, etc.) on a card and form a record for thesubscriber of each connection or of each high valued connection.

Since such printing arrangements are comparatively complicated andcostly an economic operation is possible only when the apparatus issituated at the exchange, i. e. 'in common for a number of subscribersstations. Thus the expense of printing apparatus and of switch means forcontrolling the said printing apparatus is greater the higher the numberof subscribers requiring tickets for the high valued calls which theyoriginate.

The invention depends on the fact that only a comparatively small numberof subscribers, namely those who make a number of high valued calls,require tickets supplied from a printing arrangement, while by far thegreater number of subscribers require only the determination of the feeby meters in the normal manner.

The invention relates to an economic arrangement whereby the expense ofthe printing apparatus and the switch means for the operation thereof isreduced as far as possible, this result being obtained by dividingsubscribers having access to the same connecting arrangement into twogroups, those whose conversation fees are recorded by meters and thosefor whom a special account is provided by means of a central printingdevice. The printing device for recording the requisite accounts isconnected or is not connected according to the group to which thecalling subscribers set belongs, connections being by switch meansassociated with the subscribers belonging to one group.

The arrangement according to the invention operati-ons for controllingthe printing apparatus in particular for recording the number of thecalling subscriber without considerable reduction in the economicworking of the system. It is known to hunt for the calling subscriber bymeans of a central identifying arrangement and then to transfer impulsescorresponding to the calling number through a central arrangement to theprinting apparatus. Further it is known to provide the subscribersstation with arrangements for transmitting impulse trains correspondingto the calling number. The first method results in difficulties ofcircuit technique. The second requires considerable expense and is toocostly when all subscribers stations have to be illustrated withreference to an embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 1 two subscribersstations TnI and T112 are shown of which the fees for the subscriber Tnlare recorded merely by the subscribers meter ZI at the exchange, whilefor the "subscriber 'InZ all the data of interest concerning theparticular connection is printed on a voucher. It is understood that itis possible to register fees'for the subscriber Tn! on a subscribersmeter if necessary. According to the embodiment the printing apparatusis operated only for high valued connections. Fig. 2 shows the sequenceof operation of the contacts of the mechanical impulse sender arrangedto transmit the telephone number of the subscriber TnZ.

In the first place a local connection set up by the'subscriber Tnl willbe described.

When the receiver is removed the following call circuit is completed:earth, winding of relay RI, contact 3tI, lower talking conductor,junction line ALI, subscribers station Tnl, upper talking conductor,junction line ALI, contact Ztl, resistance Wil, battery, earth. Relay RIenergizes and at contact 'ITI closes and completes the operating circuitfor the magnet DI of the preselector VWI earth, battery, wiper d of thepreselector VWI in the normal position, contacts 'lrI', fitl, magnet DI,relay interrupter RUI, earth. Under the control of the relayinterruptalso permits essential simplification in switching 55 or themagnet receives stepping impulses by which the wipers of the preselectorare operated until they find a free connecting arrangement, for examplethe group selector GW. The following test circuit is then completed:earth, vertical ofi normal contact 33K (closed so long as the groupselector is in its normal position) resistance Wi5, contact 3| a,resistance Wi3, wiper c of the preselector VWI, windings I and II of therelay T I, contact 'Irl, wiper d of the preselector on the contactsegment, battery, earth. In this circuit the relay Tl of the preselectoroperates and by Opening its contact Btl interrupts the stepping circuitfor the magnet DI, and by closing contact 5tl short circuits the highresistance winding II of relay Tl so that the free group selector whichhas been seized is guarded against further seizing. The subscribersmeter Zl connected in parallel to winding I of the relay TI can operateeither in the test or in the lockin circuit. Contacts Ztl and 3t! open,opening the call loop and relay RI is de-energized. Contacts ltl and 4Hclose and connect the subscriber Tnl to the talking conductors. Thefollowing circuit is then completed: earth, battery, winding of therelay A in the group selector, upper talking conductor, wiper a of thepreselector VWI', contact ltl, subscribers loop, contact 4t], wiper b ofthe preselector, choke Dr, earth. Relay A operates in this circuit,which also serves to supply the subscriber with feeding current, andremoves the short circuit for winding I of relay C by opening contact31a, so that this relay operates in the locking circuit. Contact 320closes and holds the relay C energised independently of the 01f normalcontact 33K.

The subscriber now transmits the initial impulse train. Relay A in thegroup selector receives the impulses and controls the vertical magnet ofthe group selector (not shown) so that the wipers of the group selectorare raised to a particular contact bank. The group selector then huntsin known manner for a free line. In Fig. 1 a repeater UE for time zonemetering, shown only in part, is associated with the group selector.This repeater, however, is usually reached by the group selector whenthe subscriber sets up a high valued connection and the group selectoris set corresponding to a particular digit. For local connections thegroup selector is followed by a further group selector or a finalselector.

When the group selector has found a free connecting arrangement thefollowing test circuit is completed, earth, contacts Ma, Ma, winding Iof relay P, winding II of relay P, the short circuit for which is brokenby contact 430, wiper c of the group selector and battery potential in asubsequent connecting arrangement. The test relay P of the groupselector operates in this circuit and by short circuiting the highresistance winding I of relay P at contact 42p guards the selectedconnecting arrangement against seizing by another group selector, and byclosing contacts 28p and 29p switches through the talking conductors ofthe group selector. The subscriber now transmits further impulse trainsnecessary for setting up the required connection. Relay A in the groupselector also receives these impulses and transfers them over: earth,contacts 410, 39a, upper talking conductor, contact 28p, wiper a of thegroup selector to the impulse receiving relay of the followingconnecting arrangement.

When the receiver at the calling substation is hung up after theconversation the circuit for relay A in the group selector is broken andthe relay is de-energized. Contact 3 la closes and the circuit forwinding I of relay C is short circuited so that the contacts of thisrelay are restored to normal. Contact 430 closes and the winding II ofrelay P is short circuited. The release of relay P is prevented,however, by the completion of the following seizing circuit: earth,battery, winding III of relay P, contacts 380, 28p, wiper a of the groupselector and earth in a subsequent connecting arrangement. At contact30p the connecting path is held in the direction extending to thecalling subscriber and at contact 42p in the direction extending to thecalled subscriber. Metering potential is connected to the lower talkingconductor from a subsequent connecting arrangement so that the followingcircuit is completed for the metering relay Zr in the group selector:battery potential in the subsequent device, lower talking conductor,wiper b of the group selector GW, contact 29p, winding of the meteringrelay Zr, contact 210, earth. The double contact 3421" closes and shortcircuits the resistance W2'4 in the locking conductor producing acurrent in this conductor which stepson the meter of the callingsubscriber. The release of relay P in the group selector brought aboutby its winding III being short circuited at contact 312T leads todisconnection in the known manner.

When a local connection is set up by the subscriber Tn2 the stepping onof the subscribers meter Z2 takes place when the connection isterminated. The switching operation for completing the connection andfor controlling the meter corresponds completely to that occurring inthe case of a local connection for the subscriber Tnl. The lockingconductor in the preselector of the subscribers station T112 isdifferentiated from that of the subscriber Tnl only in that thealternating current phase relay E is connected parallel to the cut-01frelay in the case of subscriber T112. Moreover between the subscribersmeter and the contact of the cut-off relay which looks the line after ithas been tested, a low resistance circuit SpK is connected. Thesedifierent switch means have, however, no control over the switchingoperations which occur at a local connection. The current increase onthe locking conductor afiects this subscriber in the same manner so thatthe subscribers meter Z2 is stepped on by one unit over: wiper c of thepreselector VWZ, meter Z2, locking circuit SpK, contact 25t2, wiper d ofthe preselector VWZ, battery, earth.

A high valued connection as set up by the subscriber Tnl will now bedescribed. The setting of the group selector takes place in principle inthe same manner but the wipers are elevated to a contact bank to which arepeater UE is connected for time zone metering. When such a freerepeater is found the following test circuit is completed: earth,contacts Ala, 4230., windings I and II of relay P, wiper c of groupselector GW, winding of the relay CI in the repeater and batterypotential in a subsequent device. The relay P in the group selectoroperates in this circuit bringing about the switching operations alreadymentioned, and the relay CI in the repeater UE is also energised.Further impulse trains transmitted from the subscriber are transferredto the repeater UE over the following circuit by intermittent closing ofcontact 39a: earth, contacts 4lc, 39a, 28p wiper a of the groupselector, contacts 46y, 47y, winding of the relay Al, battery, earth. Inmanner not shown here, theimpulses are transmitted to the subsequentconnecting arrangementby means of a contact of the relay Al When theconnection for the calling subscriber is completed and the calledsubscriber replies, the relay G in the repeater is operated by means ofbattery potential which .is applied to the lower talking conductor:battery in a further connecting device, lower talking conductor,contacts54g, 55y, winding I of relay G, earth. The relay G locks up inthe following circuit: earth, contacts Glicl, 69g (closed before contact549 opened) my, winding II of relay G, battery, earth, Further the relayG closes the following circuit: earth, contacts 56 cl, 51y, 59g, 60w,winding I of relay X, battery, earth. The relayX at contact 68a: securesthe circuit for the winding II of relay G independently of contact my.Further it opens the double contact 6331/6412 so that the followingcircuit is completed: earth, contacts 55cl, Big, 62w, winding II ofrelay X, winding of relay Y, resistance Wi'l, battery, earth. In thiscircuit the relay Y operates and the relay X is further held energized.Contact 511/0136118 and breaks the circuit'for the winding I of therelay X while the circuit for winding II ofrelayX and relay Y iscompleted independently of contact Blg bythe closing of contact 581/.

When the calling subscriber hangs up and so terminates the connection,the relay A in the group selector GW restores. At contact 3Ia thewinding I of the relay C is short circuited so that it restores after ashort interval. Contact 210 closes and connects earth potential to themetering relay Zr which is connected to the lower talking conductor.Relay Pis not de-energised when its winding "II isshort circuited bymeans of contact 430 since in the meanwhile the following circuit hasbeen completed for winding III of relay P: earth, battery, winding IIIof relay P, contact 380, upper talking conductor, contact 28p, wiper aof the group selector GW, contact 459 in the repeater'UE, winding ofrelay W, contact Ms, earth. Since relay P continues to be energised thetalking conductors remain switched through and the connecting path isheld at the contacts 30p and 4210.

When as in the present instance, a high valued connection is set up bythe calling subscriber, the bank contact DK in the group selector isclosed. Alternating current is connected therefore, over a condenser,bank contact DK and contacts 360 and 3521*, in addition to directcurrent. The alternating current is so selected that'it does not disturbthe blocking operations. When a subscriber, whose fee is indicated by ameter at the exchange, makes a call the alternating current connecteddoes not perform any operations and therefore, in this case, remainswithout effect.

In the repeater UE in the same circuit as-that in which the relay P inthe group selector is energised over its winding III the relay W is alsoenergised. The relay W completes a holding circuit for winding II ofrelay G at contact 61w independently of contacts68zc, 69g and y. Furthercontact 62w opens and breaks a circuit for the winding II of relay X andfor relay Y so that these relays are de-energised. A further connectionof winding I of relay X is rendered impossible by the opening of contact6010. A further holding circuit is completed for relay G over contact10y.

In known manner, relay W in the repeater transmits the signal for thetermination of the conversation and thearrangements provided in therepeater forcdetermin'ing and transmitting the metering impulses areconnected, this not being represented here in detail. Contact, 5327c,which isclosed a number of times corresponding to the number of impulsesto be' transmitted, is shown. The metering impulses produced by thiscontact are transmitted over the following path to the metering relay Zrin the group selector: earth, battery, contacts 532k, 51y, 50w, lowertalking conductor, wiper b of the group selector GW, contact 29p,winding of the metering-relay Zr, contact 210, earth. The metering relayZr operates the double contact 3422* a number of times corresponding tothe transmitted metering impulse whereby the resistance Wi4 is shortcircuited at each interruption and a current increaseis produced on thelocking conductorwhich steps-on the meter Zl of the subscriber 'Tnl.When the metering impulse is completed then the metering discriminatingrelay S (not shown) in the'repeater UE is operated in known manner andcontact 44s is now opened. The seizing circuit in which the relay W inthe repeater UEand relay P, winding III, in the group selector areenergised, is thereby interrupted and both relays restore. Contact 421)in the group selector opens and the holding earth is disconnected from.the guard conductor extending to the subsequent junction arrangementsand thus the signal for the release is transmitted. Contact "30p alsoopens holding earthis disconnected and the signal for release is givento the subscriber. In the preselector, therefore, relay TI restores andin known manner the preselector VWI is returned to its normal position.The release of relay P also effects the release of the group selectorsin a manner which is not'shown.

In the repeater after the opening of contact 42p the relay Cl isrestored so that contacts 560i and 66cl are opened. At the lattercontact the circuitfor relay G is finally interrupted.

In'the connection described above the relay G in the repeater UE remainsenergised without interruption until the release of the connecting p'athtakes place after the completion of the connection and transmission ofmetering impulses. The printing arrangement in the repeater is indicatedby the reference RE. This printer mechanism per se does not form a partof the present invention, but, for example, it may be of the typedisclosed in the R. Tilden et alfPatent 1,793,761, issued'February 24,1931, or in the C. I. Lattig Patent 2,010,868, issued August 13, 1935.Connection of the printing mechanism to the upper talking conductor ispossible only over back contact 46g and operated contact 48y. Since,however, the release of relay G takes places only during the release ofthe connecting path i. e. when relay Y is already restored, the printingarrangement is not operated for this connection.

The operations occurring when subscriber TnE sets up a high valuedconnection during which the printing mechanism is brought into use willnow be described. The printing mechanism which is centrally situated inthe exchange must record the number of the calling subscriber asessential information. In the present embodiment the arrangement'is suchthat by means of an impulse sender associated individually with thecalling station impulse trains corresponding to the call number aretransmitted over the talking conductors to the printing apparatus REwhich may be associated with the repeater UE. It is assumed that anarrangement is provided in the exchange which contains marking signalsfor numbers of subscribers. It may consist of a common, continuouslyoperated shaft on which a series of impulse wheels are arranged each ofwhich can transmit the impulse trains corresponding to the call numberof a particular subscriber.

The operations are described more nearly in the following. When thesubscriber Tn2 lifts the receiver for the purpose of initiating a highvalued connection the relay R2 in the preselector VWZ operates in thecircuit: earth, winding of relay R2, contact Mt2, lower talkingconductor, contact l6e, junction line AL2, subscribers station TnZ,junction line, contacts 8e, I3t2, resistance Wi2, battery, earth.Contact 2412 closes and .energises the rotary magnet D2 of thepreselector VW2: earth, battery, wiper d of the preselector VWZ in thenormal position, contacts 2412, 26162, magnet D2, relay interrupter RU2,earth. The wipers of the preselector are steppedon under the control ofthe relay interrupter until they connect with a free group selector.When this occurs the following test circuit is completed: earth,battery, wiper d of the preselector in the operated position, contact24r2, windings II and I of relay T2, wiper c of the preselector,resistance Wi3, contact 31a, resistance Wi5, off normal contact 33k,earth. The relay T2 which operates in this circuit opens contact 26252stopping the rotary switch and by disconnecting the high resistancewinding II of relay T2 at contact 25t2, guards the free group selectorwhich has been selected against seizing by another line. Between contact25t2 and the winding I of relay T2, a low resistance circuit isconnected to the talking conductor the low resistance circuit being ofsuch a nature that it does not disturb the blocking operations. ContactsI 3t2 and H252 open and break the circuit for the relay R2 in thepreselector. Contacts l2t2 and |5t2 close and the talking conductors areswitched through. Thus the following circuit by which the subscribersstation is provided with feeding current is completed: earth, battery,winding of relay A, wiper a of the preselector VW2', contacts l2t2, 8e,subscribers loop, contacts I56, l5t2, Wiper b of the preselector, chokeD'r, earth. Relay A in the group selector is energised and relay C isenergised since contact 34a opens and removes the short circuit from thewinding I of relay C.

The subscriber now transmits the first impulse train by which the groupselector is stepped on to a contact bank over which a repeater UE isreached in known manner not shown. When the wipers of the group selectorselect a free repeater the following circuit is completed: earth,contacts 410, 40a, windings I and II of relay P, wiper c of the groupselector, winding of the relay CI in the repeater, battery potential ina subsequent connecting device. In the group selector the relay Poperates and, in the repeater, the relay Cl. Contacts 28p and 29p closecausing the talking conductors to be switched through and, contact 42pcloses and locks the selected repeater against seizing by a furtherswitch The locking conductor is connected with holding earth overcontact 30p and thus the connection is held independently of contact320. Since the subscriber Tn2 is making a high valued call the firstimpulse train closes the bank contact DK.

The further impulse trains transmitted by the subscriber are forwarded,as already described, by means of contact 39a to the impulse receivingrelay A! of the repeater UE and then in a manner not described tosubsequent junction devices.

The connecting path is established, the called subscriber replies,battery potential is connected to the lower talking conductor from asubsequent connecting device over contacts 549 and 55g and relay G isenergised over its winding I. Contact 69g closes locking relay C overits Winding II. Further, as already described winding I of relay X isenergised over contact 599 and opens the double contacts 63m and 64:0causing the relay Y to energise over contact Sig while relay X ismaintained energised over winding II. This circuit is locked by contact58y. The circuit for the winding II of relay G is maintained overcontact 681:.

When, on the completion of the connection, the subscriber Tn2 hangs up,the relay A in the group selector restores, and by closing contact 3larestores relay C. The relay P is maintained energised over winding IIIand contact 380 in the previously mentioned seizing circuit and relay Win the repeater UE is also energised. Contact 36c closes and alternatingcurrent is connected to the talking conductor over the bank contact DKin its operating position and contact 352r whereby the alternatingcurrent phase relay E connected in parallel to relay T2 in thepreselector and connected by means of contact Hit to the lockingconductor is energised over both windings I and II. Contacts 8e and Weopen and disconnect the subscriber from the connecting path by openingthe speech leads. The following circuit is completed: earth, battery,winding III of relay E, contacts 23 22S0, 2lf or 20U, He, [5752, wiper bof the preselector VW2, lamp GL, winding II of the relay C, earth. Thelamp is lighted by the increased potential so that relay C is againenergised over its winding II. Relay 0 opens its contact 380 and thusbreaks the seizing circuit in which the relay P in the group selectorand the relay W of the repeater were energised. The relay W in therepeater thus restores while relay P remains energised since its windingII is again connected in circuit by the opening of contact 430. Relay Win the repeater is therefore only energised for a short interval duringwhich the following operations occur in the repeater: The circuit:earth, contacts 56cl, 58y or Gig, 62w, winding II of relay X, winding ofrelay Y, resistance WiI, battery, earth, is opened at contact 62w for ashort interval. The relay X is finally restored during this intervalwhile the relay Y, having a delayed armature release, remains energisedin the following circuit after relay W releases: earth, contacts 56cl,58y, 62112, 533:, winding of relay Y, resistance Wi'l, battery, earth.The relay G also restores, since its holding winding II is disconnectedat contacts 61w, 68a: and My. In the repeater therefore the seizingrelay CI and relay Y only are energised. The printing apparatus isconnected to the upper talking conductor over the restored contact 46gand the operated contact 48y. Earth potential is connected to theprinting apparatus over contacts 410, 39a, 28p, wiper a of the groupselector, contacts 46g, 48y. If a printing apparatus is associatedindividually with the repeater UE, the printing apparatus is preparedfor use by the earth connection so that the impulses which follow,indicating the call number, are received and registered. The arrangementcan, however, be such that a number of printing apparatus are providedin common a number of repeaters. The connection or" earth potential inthis instance serves as an impulse for finding and connecting a freeprinting apparatus to the repeater concerned.

The impulse sending arrangement associated with the preselector VWZ isso connected that various contact operations take place mechanically.This is illustrated in Fig. 2. The contact movements corresponding tothe call number of the subscriber TM are indicated by J and aregenerated by an impulse wheel. In the present example it is assumed thatthe subscriber has the call number 4216, the impulse wheel therefore isin a position to transmit the impulse trains corresponding to theindividual digits of this number by intermittent operation of contactH7. S indicates a contact arrangement which opens contact 22.90 for ashort period previous to the transmission of the impulse trains by theimpulse wheel. After the transmission of the impulse trains contactarrangement U operates first contact 2% alone and then contacts 2M andl9u' together.

When the impulse sending arrangement is in such a position that contact2250 is opened, the short circuit of the winding of the relay F isremoved and this relay is energised in the abovementioned circuittogether with the winding III of relay E and winding II of the relay Cin the group selector. Contact 23 opens and ensures that relay F is notshort circuited on the release of contact 2250. At contact lily thecontact H J operated by the impulse wheel is connected over contact 9cto the upper talking conductor and the following circuit is closed:earth, contacts H7, It Be, I2t2, wiper a of the preselector VW2, windingof the relay A in the group selector, battery, earth. The relay Aoperates in this circuit and opening contact 39a prevents the connectionof earth potential to the upper conductor and hence to the printingarrangement RE which is now prepared to receive impulses. Contact Ilaoperates and transmits impulses which interrupt the circuit for relay A.The relay A now transmits the impulses sent out from the impulse wheelto the printing apparatus in the repeater earth, contacts 4Ic, 39a, 28pwiper a of the group selector GW, contacts 46g, 48y, printing apparatusRE. In the printing apparatus the different type wheels are positionedon the individual digits of the call number of the calling subscriber bymeans of the individual impulse. In the interval between individualimpulse trains it is possible to change over from one printing wheel toanother in the printing apparatus.

Simultaneously with the impulse trains corresponding to the call number,metering impulses may be transmitted from the time zone repeater overthe following path: earth, battery, metering contact 53270, which isoperated a number of times corresponding to the niunber of units to berecorded, contact 523 printing apparatus RE.

When the call number has been transmitted to the printing mechanism theoperated contact 2011. is closed without interrupting the rest contact(provision being made for make before break). The following circuit iscompleted: earth, contacts I81, l u, 2011. winding of the relay F,winding III of the relay E, battery, earth.

In this circuit the relays E and F are energised for the time being.Rest contact Zllu opens and disconnects the potential from the lowertalkin conductor so that relay C in the group selector restores.

Contact H7 is operated again simultaneously with contact Zfiu (see Fig.2). Since earth potential is disconnected from the upper talkingconductor by the release of contact llj relay A in the group selector isde-energised.

Relay 0 in the group selector now releases and leads to the release ofthe connection. Winding II of relay P is short circuited at contact 430causing its contacts to restore since, no earth potential beingavailable from the repeater, its winding III can no longer remainenergised. Contacts 30p and 42p open and remove holding earth from theblocking conductors extending to the call subscriber and to therepeater. In the repeater the relay Cl restores and breaks the circuitfor relay Y by opening contact 5601.

In the preselector the holding circuit for relays E and F is broken bythe operation of contact l9u sometime after the operation of contact Naand the relays restore.

The remaining operations required for the release are not explainedfurther since they are known and are not essential for the invention.

The differentiation between the high value connections set up betweenthe subscriber Tnl and the ones set up by the subscriber TnZ resides inthat, relay C is restored permanently after the terminating signaltransmission from the subscriber Tnl while, on the transmission of theterminating signal from subscriber Tn2, relay C restores only for ashort period and then operates again. During the short release period ofrelay C a circuit is opened in which are connected a normal and aslow-to-release relay. The normal relay only is restored while theslowto-release relay remains energised and is used for connecting theprinting apparatus.

It should be mentioned that other information may be transmitted andregistered by the printing apparatus. The recording of the date and thetime is conveniently performed Within the printing device. Thus, sincethe printing apparatus is associated with the repeater for time zonemetering i. e. is situated at the station where the stepping devices forthe meter are situated, the required direction may easily be obtainedfrom the switching device (zone switch) which is provided for themarking operation and a corresponding marking signal may be transmittedto the printing arrangement after the connection is set up.

If it is required to record the calling number storage elements whichtake up the impulses transmitted from the subscriber and transmit theseto the printing apparatus may be associated with the repeater after theprinting apparatus is connected.

I claim:

1. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, thesubscribers lines in one of said groups each provided with a callrecording meter to register calls, the subscribers lines in the other ofsaid groups each provided with a switching means for transmittingimpulses corresponding to' its associated subscribers telephone number,a repeater accessible to said lines, means in said repeater operatedresponsive to the completion of a call thereover by a sub scriber insaid one groupof lines for controlling the said subscriber's associatedcall recording meter, a printing mechanism, andmeans in said repeateroperated responsive only to the completion of a call thereover by asubscriber in said other group of lines for connecting said printingmechanism thereto to record the number transmitted by saidlast-mentioned subscribers switching means.

2. In a telephone system as claimed in claim 1 wherein there areconnecting devices associated with said repeater for connecting saidprinting mechanism to said repeater, and means in said switching meansfor transmitting a signal to opcrate said connecting devices.

3. In a telephone system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means forassociating said printing mechanism with said repeater comprises aplurality of relays associated with said repeater, and means in saidswitching means for transmitting a signal to operate said relays.

4. In a telephone system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the subscriberslines have access to said repeater by means of a line switch individualto each of said subscribers and wherein the said switching means iscontrolled over a test conductor including a wiper of said lineswitch byan alteration in current strength thereover to thereby transmit thecalling subscribers telephone number.

5. 'In a telephone system as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is aswitch for connecting said lines with said repeater, and means in saidswitch operated by said switching means for controlling the operation ofthe printer mechanism connecting means in said repeater.

6. In a telephone system, an automatic switch, a trunk line, asubscribers line, means controlled by said subscriber for extending aconnection via said switch to said trunk line, a telephone numbertransmitting device individual to said subscribers line, meansresponsive to the termination of said connection for disconnecting saidsubscriber from said switch and connecting said device thereto, aprinter mechanism, means in said trunk line operated responsive to theconnection of said device to said switch for operatively associatingsaid mechanism with said trunk, and means in said device operatedresponsive to connecting with said switch for transmitting saidsubscribers telephone number to said mechanism to record the same.

'7. In a telephone system, a repeater, a first class and a second classof subscribers lines, means for extending a connection from any line tosaid repeater, means associated with said repeater for transmittingmeter operating pulses to a subscribers meter, a printer mechanism,means in said repeater for associating said printer mechanism with saidrepeater to record subscribers telephone numbers, said repeater operatedresponsive to th termination of a connection established thereover forconnecting said meter pulse transmitting means thereto only when asubscriber in said first class of lines has extended the connection andfor associating said printer with said connection when a subscriber insaid second class of lines has extended the connection, means individualto each of the lines in said first class of lines for recording thenumber of said meter pulses, and means individual to each of the linesin said second class of lines for transmitting the number of thesubscriber that has extended the call to the printer mechanism.

8. In a telephone system, a main exchange, toll lines, subscribers linesterminating in said exchange, switches controllable by callingsubscribers to extend connections over said toll lines, said subscriberslines divided into first class and second class lines, the lines in afirst of said classes provided with individual message registers, meansassociated with said toll lines for discriminating between the classesof lines extending connections over said toll lines, said discriminatingmeans operated in one manner only in the event that a subscriber in thefirst of said classes of lines has extended the connection to transmitimpulses to control the operation of that subscribers message register,a printer mechanism, said discriminating means operated in anothermanner to associate said printer with said toll line only in the eventthat a subscriber in the second of said classes of lines has extendedthe connection, and means individual to each line in the second of saidclasses of lines for transmitting the associated subscribers telephonenumber to said printer mechanism.

9. In a telephone system, automatic switches for extending toll andlocal calls, a subscribers line having access to said switches, animpulse transmitting device individual to said line and normallydisconnected therefrom, a call register individual to said line, meansin said switch train operated responsive to the termination of a localconnection extended from said line for operating said call register, aprinting mechanism, means in said switch train operated responsive tothe termination of a toll connection extended from said line forassociating said printing mechanism with said switch train, and meansalso operated responsive to the termination of said toll connection fordisconnecting said line from said switch train and for connecting saidimpulse transmitter thereto, said transmitter transmitting impulses tooperate said printer and thereby record the subscribers telephonenumber.

10. In a telephone system, a first and second subscribers line, a tollline, automatic switches controllable from said lines to extend callsover said toll line, a register for said first line, an impulsetransmitter for transmitting said second subscribers telephone number,means in said toll line operated only responsive to the termination of atoll call extended from said first subscribers line for controlling saidregister to register the call, a registering mechanism, means in saidtoll line operated only responsive to the termination of a toll callextended from said second subscribers line for associating saidregistering mechanism with said toll line, and means thereaftercontrolled by said impulse transmitter for operating said registeringmechanism to register said second subscribers number. r

11. In a telephone system, a train of automatic switches including arepeater, two classes of lines having access to said train of switches,a call recording device associated with each line in one of said classesof lines, a line number identifying device associated with each line inthe other ofsaid classes of: lines, means in said repeater operated onlyresponsive to a connection established thereover from any line in saidone class of lines for transmitting pulses to control the call recordingdevice of the calling line, and means in said repeater operated onlyresponsive to a connection established thereover from any line in saidother class of lines for connecting a register to said repeater torecord the calling line number transmitted by the associated identifyingdevice. I a

12. In a telephone system; subscribers lines divided into a first andsecond group, means individual to each line in said first group forregistering completed calls, means individual to each line in saidsecond group for transmitting the telephone number of its associatedcalling subscriber, a train of automatic switches, means in one of theswitches in said train operated responsive to the completion of a callthereover by a subscriber in said first group for operating the saidsubscribers registering means accordingly, a printing mechanism, meansin one of the switches in said train operated responsive to thecompletion of a call thereover by a subscriber in said second group forassociating said printer with said switch train, and means in one ofsaid switches operated by the transmitting means individual to thecalling subscriber for controlling said printer to register the numberof the calling subscriber.

13. In a telephone system, subscribers lines of one class, subscriberslines of a different class, service meters one for each of said lines insaid one class, a printing mechanism, means controlled on a time zonemetering basis for operating said meters and said printing device, saidlastmentioned means operating the meter individual to the line of acalling subscriber of said one class a variable number of'timesresponsive to the completion of a connection by the said callingsubscriber and operating said printing mechanism a variable number oftimes responsive to the completion of a connection by a callingsubscriber of said different class of lines to thereby assess a chargeagainst the calling subscriber in accordance with the duration anddestination of the call, and means individual to each of the subscriberslines of said different class operated responsive to the completion of aconnection for transmitting the telephone number of its associatedcalling subscriber to said printing mechanism to identify the subscriberto be charged.

14. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, thesubscribers lines in one of said groups each provided with a callrecording meter, the subscribers lines in the other of said groups eachprovided with a switching means for transmitting the telephone number ofits associated line, a repeater accessible to said lines, means operatedresponsive to the completion of a call including said repeater extendedby a subscriber in the said one of said groups of lines for controllingthe subscribers individual call recording meter a variable number oftimes according to the destination of said call, a printing mechanism,and means operated responsive to the completion of a call including saidrepeater extended by a subscriber in the said other of said groups oflines for initiating the operation of the said calling subscriberstelephone number switching means and for connecting said printingmechanism to said repeater to thereby record the telephone numbertransmitted by the said switching means.

15. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, each of saidsubscribers lines in one of said groups provided with a call recordingmeter for registering calls, a switch accessible to said lines, aprinting mechanism individual to said switch, and means operatedresponsive to the completion of a call including said switch foroperating the calling subscribers associated meter a variable number oftimes when the calling subscriber is one of the subscribers in said onegroup and for operating said printing mechanism a variable number oftimes when the calling subscriber is any one of the subscribers in theother of said groups of lines to thereby make a charge for the call inaccordance with the destination of the completed call.

16. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, each of thesubscribers lines in one of said groups provided with a call recordingmeter for registering calls, each of the subscribers lines in the otherof said groups provided With a transmitter for transmitting thetelephone number of its associated subscribers line, a switch accessibleto said lines, a printing mechanism, means operated responsive to thecompletion of a call including said switch for operating the callingsubscribers associated meter a variable number of times when the callingsubscriber is one of the subscribers in said one group and for operatingsaid printing mechanism a variable number of times when the callingsubscriber is one of the subscribers in said other group of lines tothereby make a charge in accordance with the destination of thecompleted call, means operated responsive to the completion ofa call bya calling subscriber in said other group of lines for initiating theoperation of said transmitter associated with the said callingsubscribers line, and means controlled by said transmitter for operatingsaid printing mechanism to record the said calling subscribers telephonenumber to thereby identify the record made by said printing mechanism ofthe destination of the said completed call.

17. In a telephone system wherein subscribers control automatic switchesto extend connections, subscribers of a first class each provided withindividual meters for registering calls, subscribers of a second classeach provided with individual switching means for transmitting itsassociated subscribers telephone number, means operated responsive tothe completion of a connection by a subscriber of either class fortransmitting a variable number of pulses in accordance with thedestination of the completed call, a printing mechanism, said pulsescontrolling the calling subscribers meter when a first class subscriberhas completed the call and controlling said printing mechanism when asecond class subscriber has completed the call, and means operated inthe event that the call is completed by a second class subscriber forinitiating the operation of the said second class calling subscriberstelephone number transmitting means whereby said printing mechanism isoperated to record the telephone number of said second class callingsubscriber.

18. In a telephone system, subscribers lines of one class, subscriberslines of a different class, service meters one for each of said lines insaid one class, a printing mechanism common to the lines of saiddifferent class, and means controlled on a time zone metering basis foroperating said meters or said printing device, said last-mentioned meansoperating the service meter individual to the line of a callingsubscriber of said one class a variable number of times responsive tothe completion of a connection by the said calling subscriber andoperating said printing mechanism a variable number of times responsiveto the completion of a connection by a calling subscriber of saiddifferent class of lines to thereby assess a charge against the callingsubscriber in accordance with the duration and destination of the call.

19. In a telephone system, two groups of subscribers lines, each ofthesubscribers lines in one of said groups provided with a callrecording meter for registering calls, a switch accessible to saidlines, a printing mechanism individual to said switch, and means forcontrolling the call recording meter of a calling subscriber a. variablenumber of times in accordance with the destination of a call completedvia said switch by any subscriber in the said one group of lines and forcontrolling said printing mechanism in accordance with the destinationof a call completed via said switch by'any subscriber in the said othergroup of lines.

20. In a telephone system, two groups of subscriber lines, each of thesubscriber lines in one of said groups being provided with a meter forregistering calls, printing mechanism operative to produce a record ofthe pertinent items pertaining to a call, a link, means for setting up acall from a calling subscriber line in either one of said groups viasaid link, and means included in said link and governed in accordancewith the one of said groups including said calling subscriber line forselectively controlling the meter individually associated with saidcalling subscriber line or said printing mechanism, whereby the meterindividually associated with said calling subscriber line is operated avariable number of times in accordance with the destination of the callin the event said calling subscriber line is included in said one groupof lines or said printing mechanism is selectively operated inaccordance with the destination of the call in the event said callingsubscriber line is included in the other of said groups of lines.

21. In a telephone system, a first and a second group of subscriberlines, each line in said first group provided with a call recordingmeter, a repeater accessible to all of the lines, a printing mechanismoperatively associated with said repeater, means for completing atelephone connection including said repeater from a calling subscriberline in either of said groups to a called subscriber line, and means insaid repeater for selectively controlling the call recording meter ofthe calling subscriber line in accordance with the destination of a callin the event that the call is completed from a subscriber in said firstgroup and for selectively controlling said printing mechanism inaccordance with the destination of a call in the event that the call iscompleted from a calling subscriber line in said second group, whereby acharge is made according to the destination of a call.

FRITZ WOLF.

